"Messi will come back to save you soon" - Fans react as Inter Miami slump to 6-1 loss to Cincinnati in Lionel Messi's absence

Fans on X have reacted after Inter Miami were thrashed 6-1 by Cincinnati in Lionel Messi's absence in their MLS fixture at the TQL Stadium (Saturday, July 6).

Despite winning their last four MLS games in a row without Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the Herons struggled to deal with Cincinnati. They suffered their biggest defeat of the season. The two superstars are currently representing Argentina and Uruguay respectively at the 2024 Copa America where they have progressed to the semi-finals.

Yuya Kubo gave the hosts the lead in the 10th minute before Inter Miami's Serhiy Kryvtsov headed the ball into the back of the net to level the scores. Unfortunately for the latter, they capitulated afterwards. They conceded goals from Luciano Acosta (36'), Pavel Bucha (38'), Yamil Asad (45+4'), Kubo (57'), and Gerardo Valenzuela (72').

To make matters worse, Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets - who was deployed as a centre-back - was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 62nd minute for dissent.

Inter Miami sorely missed the services of Lionel Messi, who had been exceptional for them this season before departing for the Copa America. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 15 appearances across all competitions.

One fan posted:

"Messi will come back to save you soon.. hold"

Another fan typed:

"It’s never the same without Messi. But you held on for a good while lads. Let’s hope cinci drop points in the coming games."

Other reactions can be seen below:

"Messi wasn't the only one they were missing and they won their last 4 without him. just bad day," one fan insisted

"They lost 3 points, it doesn't matter whether it's 2-1 or 6-1 same outcome. So we are now second in the East in July. Compared to where we were this time last year I'll take it. Onwards and upwards," one fan tweeted

"Messi was really carrying this team," another claimed

"My expectations were low without Messi,Suarez,Alba,Rojas and Gómez but DAMN," another exclaimed

"Where would y’all be without that guy?" one fan asked

"No Messi no party," another fan chimed in

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"Our opponent was better than us. We must take note of this" - Inter Miami boss Tata Martino gives verdict after 6-1 loss without Lionel Messi

Inter Miami manager Tata Martino has admitted Cincinnati deserved all three points after he watched his side slump to a 6-1 defeat on Saturday. Lionel Messi and Co. are currently second in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with 47 points from 23 games. They are a point behind leaders Cincinnati - who have a game in hand.

Cincinnati had more possession with 54 percent of the ball. They also looked much more threatening up front, landing 15 shots in total with 10 being on target. In contrast, Inter Miami managed 10 shots, with four being on target.

Martino said (via GOAL):

"We had a period early in the season where we were vulnerable in back, we started to fix that, the previous five or six games we had done a solid job defending, but this game we reverted defensively to how we played early in the season."

"Our opponent was better than us. We must take note of this. Cincinnati is one of the top three teams in the league. We are still not there despite our good results and performances. We have to keep working and hoping in the final part of the season we can improve with our full roster."

The Herons next face Toronto on Wednesday, July 17. Both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez could be deployed straight back into the starting XI with the 2024 Copa America final taking place on July 14.